Iraq (Modern Babylon)

PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE:
Iraq is the modern country that corresponds to the ancient land of Mesopotamia. The city of Babylon was built by Nimrod, the evil
great-grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:8-10) to keep people from obeying God's instructions to repopulate the earth after the flood.
The city was also the site of the Tower of Babel. Most of the false religions in the world can be traced back to the perversions of the truth that
was begun by Nimrod in Babylon. In the course of history, Babylon, led by Nebuchadnezzar, conquered the remaining two tribes of Israel (Assyria had
already invaded the Northern Tribes). They took captives and treasures from Jerusalem and the Temple.

Iraq second-largest city, Mosul, in the northern part of the country, was originally the biblical city of Nineveh. It was the capital of the ancient
empire of Assyria. Nineveh was another city that Nimrod had built.

The modern country of Iraq was carved out of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, and was first known as the "Kingdom
of Iraq" in 1921, and later, since the monarchy was overthrown in 1958, it has been called the Republic of Iraq.

After the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington D.C. Iraq became the focus of attention as a sponsor of terrorism. Saddam Hussein was a
despicable tyrant who slaughtered his own people, even using chemical weapons of mass destruction against them, and was believed to be developing
nuclear weapons. He ignored and defied multiple resolutions by the United Nations to allow inspectors to determine the extent of their nuclear
activities. In March of 2003 the United States and Great Britain invaded Iraq to overthrow Hussein and stop any development of weapons of mass
destruction. The weapons were never found, though there was evidence that they were shipped to Syria just before the invasion. Saddam Hussein was
eventually found, tried, and executed in 2006.

The United States rebuilt Iraq's infrastructure and helped them establish free elections and a form of democracy. Unfortunately, the
reforms could not stop the civil strife between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the country, so a seemingly endless cycle of violence prevailed
and cost the lives of more than 4 thousand Americans in the process. Meanwhile, the sizeable Christian community in Iraq was persecuted and
nearly driven out of the country. The U.S. finally withdrew troops from Iraq in 2011. Immediately after that there was an upsurge of
terrorist factions, foreshadowing an undesirable future for the nation.

The ancient ruins of Babylon, which were undergoing a massive renovation by Saddam Hussein, were not greatly affected by the war.
"Mystery Babylon" makes a major appearance in the Book of Revelation. The woman riding the Beast in Revelation 17 is symbolic of a one-world
religion that gives its power to the Antichrist regime of the End Times. This "united religion" will be made possible by the absence of the
Church after the rapture has taken place, and an uneasy truce between religions including Islam.

Many Old Testament prophecies foretold the destruction of Babylon. Isaiah and Jeremiah said that it would be desolate and never
inhabited again (Isaiah 13:19-20; Jeremiah 50:39). The Babylonian Empire was conquered by the Medo-Persian Empire, and in time the city did become
virtually uninhabited, but many Bible scholars think that the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy is still future, and it may apply to "Mystery
Babylon."

In July, 2014 the radical jihadist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), captured a number of cities in Syria and Iraq, and claimed that they were establishing a
new Islamic caliphate, with the goal of reclaiming
the lands once held by the Ottoman Empire. Using the most brutal tactics seen in our lifetime -- including beheadings,
crucifixions, mass slaughter, and burying opponents alive -- they invaded large portions of Syria and Iraq, and drove out almost all Christians.
This new, illigitimate force is motivated by Sunni Islamic theology, and will undoubtedly be resisted by the Shite branch of Islam, led by Iran.
They will also be opposed by Western powers, including the United States and the more moderate Sunni nations such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Current Events and Links

Notice: Sources often remove their news links after a period of time. Some of them move older stories to a subscription-only section. Even if the story is no longer on line, our summary will still be available on this page. Also: spellings may vary according to sources quoted. Eg. al-Qaida, Al Qaeda, etc.

Aug. 25, 2014 - A number of high-profile Republican lawmakers appeared on Sunday talk shows with a similar quesion: What
strategy does President Obama have for defeating the Islamic State before more American lives are lost to the terrorist group? The dignitaries
included Arizona Senator John McCain, New Hampshire Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, and
Michigan Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

McCain told Fox News' Chris Wallace,

"There is no boundary between Syria and Iraq. Oone of the key decisions the president is going to have to make is air power in Syria.
We cannot give them a base of operations. And we have got to help the Free Syrian Army."

"ISIL is as sophisticated and well-funded as any group that we have seen. . . They're beyond just a terrorist group. They marry
ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess. They are tremendously well-funded."

Hagel added that this threat is beyond anything that we've seen, and because of that, we must prepare for everything.

Aug. 21, 2014 - An editorial in the Wall Street Journal commended President Obama for his passionate rebuke of the Islamic State (or ISIS) after
the beheading of American journalist James Foley. The president denounced the jihadists for rampaging across cities and villages and killing innocent
civilians, including Sunni and Shia Muslims as well as religious minorities and Christians.

"All of this is horribly true," the Journal editorialized. "It was also true a year ago. The question now — what the world wants to know now,
Mr. President — is what are you going to do about it?"

The article opined that the President must turn from his fixation on ending President Bush's wars, and do what is necessary to defeat ISIS, which has
declared war against us.

Military analysts and U.S. lawmakers say the apparent beheading of an American journalist by Islamic State terrorists should be a wake-up call to the
need to dismantle the organization which has taken root in Iraq and Syria.

A video has been released purportedly showing the beheading of American journalist James Foley. This is the first time the Islamic State has killed
an American citizen. They are now threatening to kill another American journalist if President Obama continues to conduct air strikes against them.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, told reporters that the video underscores the need to develop a clear strategy for defeating the
terrorist group. He said the Islamic state is dangerous and should be dismantled.

Aug. 18, 2014 - According to Iraqi military spokesman Lt-Gen Qassim Atta, Kurdish forces, supported by US air strikes, have reclaimed the dam near Mosul
- Iraq's largest.

However, journalists in the area said fighting was continuing and jihadists remained in control of the main gate.
An Islamic State statement also contradicted the military's claim, saying it had repelled Kurdish fighters and inflicted heavy losses.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has agreed to step aside, ending political deadlock in Baghdad as the government struggles against insurgents.
Reports say he will back Haider al-Abadi, who has already been asked by Iraq's president to form a government.

Aug. 13, 2014 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced the deployment of an additional 130 "advisers" to northern Iraq. He said,
"This is not a combat boots on the ground kind of operation." The personell are Marines and special operations forces. Their task is assess
the humanitarian crisis in the Sinjar mountains and ways to end it.

Aug. 11, 2014 - In Iraq, a government official lamented the plight of civilians who are being slaughtered by the ISIS terrorist group.

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said his government had evidence that 500 Yazidi civilians had been killed so far, and that some of the victims had been
buried alive. A further 300 Yazidi women have been kidnapped as slaves, he added.

Aug. 10, 2014 - Hal Lindsey explains the seriousness of the rise of the powerful terrorist group ISIS. He says it may signal the "complete
reshaping of the situation in the Middle East." General Jack Keane, former Army Chief of Staff, said, “This is the most significant threat to the Middle
East that I’ve ever observed.”

ISIS claims to be a new Islamic caliphate and is now calling itself simply “The Islamic State.” Lindsey warns that if they take complete control of
Syria, or its other targets -- Jordan and Lebanon -- this radical caliphate will be next door to Israel.

At this time Lebanon's Hezbollah is helping Syria resist ISIS.

Hezbollah is Shi’ia Muslim while ISIS is Sunni Muslim, which makes them practically mortal enemies. Since ISIS is now stirring in Lebanon, Hezbollah may
have to withdraw and return home to defend Lebanon. If that happens, Syria’s fall is more likely.

On Friday, the U.S. military launched two more rounds of airstrikes against Islamic militants in northern Iraq, taking out two mortar positions and a
seven-vehicle convoy, the Pentagon said.

A second airdrop of food and water was also accomplished by U.S. forces. Three planes dropped more than 28,000 meals and more than 1,500 gallons of water
for refugees stranded in Iraq's Sinjar mountains.

The Pentagon said American aircraft attacked artillery that was being used in northern Iraq against Kurdish forces defending
the city of Irbil.
President Barack Obama authorized air strikes on Thursday, but said he would not send US troops back to Iraq.

President Obama has approved a mission to to drop humanitarian aid in Iraq for the 40,000 or so religious minorities stranded on a mountaintop in the
country's north after Islamic militants forced them to flee.

The air drop has already taken place. C-130 and C-17 cargo aircraft participated, escorted by F-18 fighters.

Aug. 7, 2014 - It had been reported that militants from the newly formed Islamic State (formerly the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS)
had taken control of Iraq's largest hydroelectric dam, which is on the Tigris River just north of Iraq's second largest city, Mosul. However, fierce
resistance by the Kurdish forces there kept the dam from being overtaken, and reinforcements arrived early Monday morning.

July 23 - Having established a reputation for extreme violence, the Islamic State jihadist group continues to capture more areas in its
march toward Baghdad. They capture key families in an area and then threaten to kill them unless the local government give up control of their towns.

U.S. military and Iraqi security officials estimate the Islamic State has at least 3,000 fighters in Iraq, rising towards 20,000 when new recruits
since last month's blitzkrieg are included.

July 2, 2014 - Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, claiming to be caliph of the new "Islamic State," carved out from the terrorist advances in Syria and
Iraq, issued a call to Muslims everywhere to join the jihad [holy war] and be part of a "new era" in which Muslims will ultimately triumph.

Baghdadi, who has assumed the mediaeval title of caliph, used the message to seek to assert authority over Muslims everywhere. He called on them to rise
up and avenge the alleged wrongs committed against their religion, from Central African Republic to Myanmar (Burma)

July 1, 2014 - A witness driving by the oil refinery in Beiji, Iraq, claimed that the flag of the ISIS militants flew over the facility, However, government
forces say they stilll hold the complex and are in regular contact with Baghdad.

Jun. 28, 2014 - As ISIS (ISIL), the Islamic terrorists continue their lightning offensive in Iraq and threaten other nations, Israeli Foreign Minister
Avigdor Lieberman offered help from Israel for moderate Arab nations. Lieberman was meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry when he said,

"Israel could provide effective and reliable assistance to moderate Arab states who are dealing with extremists."

Jun. 27, 2014 - Two days ago Syrian warplanes bombed Sunni militants’ positions inside Iraq, sparking concern that the Iraqi crisis could become
a wider regional conflict. Iran has been flying surveillance drone in Iraq. Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey all conducting recon flights inside their
own airspace. U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, warned othese nations to stay out of Iraq.

Meanwhile, a new insurgent artillery offensive against Christian villages in the north of Iraq sent thousands of Christians fleeing from their homes, seeking
sanctuary in Kurdish-controlled territory, Associated Press reporters who witnessed the scene said.

Jun. 26, 2014 - Events in Iraq could signal the formation of a new Islamic caliphate, or empire. Ancient Babylon's ruins are on the outskirts of Baghdad.
Saddam Hussein had done extensive rebuilding of the site before he was deposed and ultimately killed. There is now a large tourist resort in that area. The
US Embassy is also in Baghdad, and the writer of this article suggests that it could be a suitable headquarters for the future Antichrist.

We need to remember that US Embassy in Iraq is the most “wired” technically as well as battle ready fortresses in all the world. It is also larger than the
Vatican State.

Editor's Note: Prophecy Central generally reports developments that demonstrate the European Union's influence toward the prophecied one-world government
of the End Times, but some of our friends and fellow-prophecy-students, including Ray Gano, propose that the final evil government will be Islamic and Antichrist
could be a Muslim.

Jun. 25, 2014 - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has rejected the concept of a unity government, saying that it would be contrary to the nation's
constitution and the
results of its recent elections.

Both [US Secretary of State John] Kerry and President Barack Obama have been urging Iraq to install a government that is inclusive of Iraq's Sunni and Kurdish minorities.
Maliki's Shi'ite-led government has faced criticism of sidelining the minorities and breeding sectarian tensions.

Jun. 23, 2014 - Many of Saddam Hussein's top generals, and others who are loyal to his Baathist party, have quietly maintained their goal
of reclaiming their country. Now they have found a formidable ally in the ISIS jihadis who have taken over much of Iraq in a blitz, and are threatening
to invade Baghdad.

"[We are] unified by the same goal, which is getting rid of this sectarian government, ending this corrupt army and negotiating to form a Sunni Region,”
a senior Baathist leader told FoxNews.com.

Jun. 23, 2014 - As Iraqi towns continued to fall to the advancing Sunni insurgents, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry flew into Baghdad for a
series of meetings with Iraqi leaders. During this trip the U.S. team switched their terminology for the ISIS rebels. Initially they were calling them "a highly
capable and sophisticated terrorist organization [that] is also essentially a criminal syndicate." They now refer to the attackers as an "army."

Jun. 22, 2014 - On Friday the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continued its occupation of Iraqi areas by invading al-Qaim, a key border town.

Sunni fighters have seized a border post on the Iraq-Syria frontier, security sources said, smashing a line drawn by colonial powers a century ago in
a campaign to create an Islamic Caliphate from the Mediterranean Sea to Iran.

Editor's Note: Most of the Western press is calling this group ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), but the group calls itself the State of
Iraq and Al-Sham. This name is translated by some news services as ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). The Levant is a term that describes the geographic
and cultural region consisting of Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and part of southern Turkey (the former Aleppo Vilayet)
- Wikipedia

Jun. 20, 2014 - The radical Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has continued its blitz advance through Iraq, and has now captured Iraq's
largest oil refinery. In addition, they have occupied a massive chemical weapons complex.

ISIS fighters on Thursday seized the al-Muthanna complex, located 60 miles north of Baghdad, which was a central base of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's
chemical weapons program and stores hundreds of tons of lethal mustard and sarin gas, reports the Telegraph.

Jun. 18, 2014 - President Obama is reportedly leaning toward sending approximately 100 special forces into Iraq to train their military.

White House officials stress that several options remain on the table and no decision has been made. But the president reportedly has, for now, ruled out
using airstrikes against the Al Qaeda-inspired Sunni Muslim insurgency.

The U.S. is urgently deploying several hundred armed troops in and around Iraq and considering sending an additional contingent of special forces soldiers
as Baghdad struggles to repel a rampant insurgency,

Jun. 16, 2014 - The U.S. may have direct talks with Iran about cooperation in the Iraq crisis. Iran is a Shia nation--opposed to the rebellion by Sunni
terrorists in Iraq.

The deliberations come as the U.S. moved more assets into the region in preparation for a possible mass evacuation of Americans. According to U.S. Navy
officials, the USS Mesa Verde is moving into the Persian Gulf with about 500 Marines on board.

The USS Mesa Verde is an amphibious transport ship. It will be the fourth U.S. Naval vessel to enter the Gulf. The others are the USS George HW Bush, an aircraft carrier,
the USS Philippines Sea, a cruiser, and the USS Truxton, a destroyer.

Jun. 14, 2014 - Iraq is on the brink of disintegration. Private companies are withdrawing workers who are in danger of kidnappings or attacks.

The United States rushed Thursday to evacuate hundreds of Americans from Iraq and was desperately making plans to rescue thousands of others as advancing
al Qaeda-inspired forces vowed to attack Baghdad and topple the government.

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has thrived and mutated during the ongoing civil war in Syria and in the security vacuum that followed the
departure of the last American forces from Iraq.

ISIS is in the process of creating an Islamic state across Sunni areas of Iraq and in Syria. Because of the collapse of state authority it has
suddenly taken control of hundreds of square miles from Syria's Mediterranean coast to south of Baghdad.

Jun. 11, 2014 - An al-Qaida inspired group took control of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, yesterday. Today a second key city, Tikrit
suffered the same fate.

Islamist militants overran the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit and freed hundreds of prisoners from its jails on Wednesday, as rebels seized a second key
Iraqi city in as many days and further destabilized the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.